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Systematic Problem Solving

One-Day Workshop

Not enough data? Don’t waste time blaming the lack of information for problem analysis delays and failure. (Of course, if exactly the right information were available then everything would be obvious.) The difference between poor problem analysis and great problem analysis is not missing data but a missing process to manage the importance of what’s missing. What is needed is a process that establishes the problem in factual terms and then leads the way to the next logical step and the next, making proper use of the available information. This will point the way when new information is critical and what it should be.

Focus? There is often too much information (most of it irrelevant) not too little information. A flood of information can easily overwhelm efforts to make sense of things. But, a good process will provide the focus to determine what is essential and necessary for moving ahead.

Systematic Problem Solving provides a simple powerful thinking process for identifying, selecting, and analyzing problems. The workshop uses instructor-led discussions, team case study practice, skill building worksheets, meeting simulations and application to the real job problems volunteered by participants.

How fast? What can a team accomplish in one hour? A team can make a list of specific, factual problems, set priority, and then determine what analysis is needed for each in approximately 30 minutes. Next, the team can analyze one top priority problem from the list to determine its most likely cause and develop a means to verify the true cause in as little as 30 more minutes with an experienced team (one that follows the prescribed process).

(The process and tools of this workshop are independent but fully compatible with standard quality tools and process improvement methods including: Fishbone Diagram; SPC; DOE; Shainin,  creativity and statistical tools. This process boosts effectiveness of ISO and QS efforts, and interim, corrective and root cause projects of all types.)

This workshop’s content is composed of selected topics from our Critical Thinking two-day workshop.

Use the CONTACT form to tell us what you want to accomplish and to request more detailed information.